Three cups of sugar – how to make caster sugar & icing sugar

It took a minor catastrophe in the making to work this one out!  I needed caster sugar for a batch of meringues.

The whites were already beaten to soft peaks, the oven was set, visitors were on their way and there was no caster sugar in the pantry!

Why couldn’t I just magically get my hands on it when I needed it most? The simple answer that I could, and I could make my own then and there. How simple is it to make caster sugar yourself? Simple as.

That got me thinking…what else could I make myself, rather than being so reliable on the supermarket!

What is Caster Sugar?

Caster sugar is just granulated white sugar ground into a super-fine texture. It dissolves much faster than standard sugar, making it ideal for:

• Meringues
• Sponge cakes
• Puddings
• Cocktails
• And anywhere you want a smooth, grit-free result

How to Make Caster Sugar at Home

If you have a blender or food processor, you’re ready to go:

1. Measure 1 cup of granulated white sugar.
2. Use the pulse setting and blitz 5–6 times.
3. Stop and check the texture. The sugar should look finer, but still slightly crystalline—think halfway between regular sugar and powder.
4. If needed, continue pulsing until you reach that fine, sparkly texture.

Tip: Always make your caster sugar before measuring for a recipe. Since some of the sugar turns to dust and may escape as fine powder during processing, your final volume will be slightly less than what you started with.

How to Make Icing Sugar (Powdered Sugar)

Take it one step further, and you can create your own icing sugar at home too.

1. Continue blending the granulated sugar for a few solid minutes, until it turns into a soft, powdery texture.
2. To finish, stir in 2 tablespoons of cornflour for every 1 cup of icing sugar. This helps prevent clumping and improves texture for icings and frostings.

Use it for:

• Buttercream icing
• Glazes
• Dusting cakes and pastries
• Royal icing or fondant work

With just one ingredient and a little processing time, you’ll never be caught short again. Making your own caster and icing sugar is not only handy, but also a satisfying little kitchen trick that’s well worth remembering.